Chapter 45

I led Rauスト to a room in the adventurer's guild that was almost never entered by anyone.

Perhaps because he was brought to such a room, Rauスト visibly showed his wariness.

If I hadn't used my position as a receptionist to forcibly bring him here, Rauスト would have undoubtedly tried to run away from me.

But now that I've brought him this far, I secretly smile to myself, knowing my plan is working.

"Mr. Rauスト, I am truly very sorry."

"Huh? No, um—"

In the next moment, I bowed deeply to Rauスト and apologized.

At that moment, Rauスト started to panic in a way that was almost comical.

His reaction was exactly as I had imagined.

As I thought, Rauスト is quite dull when it comes to recognizing malice directed at him.

Despite showing an almost excessive reaction to malice directed at his companions, he was so flustered by my bow, despite all the insults I had hurled at him.

Perhaps his senses have been warped from years of being oppressed, making his perception skewed.

Judging this, I smiled to myself, thinking that I could effectively use Rauスト.

"What I have done cannot be compensated for with just this, but—"

"!"

In the next moment, I feigned a look of guilt and began to unbutton my clothes.

Seeing this, Rauスト became even more flustered...

His reaction almost made me burst out laughing.

My goal was to use Rauスト's achievement to offset my own sins.

Rauスト had slain the hydra that I had been hiding.

It was just a coincidence.

The fact that Rauスト was near where the hydra appeared and managed to slay it was also a coincidence.

But if it were to be revealed that I had secretly asked Rauスト to slay the hydra, based on my assessment of his abilities, what would happen?

Even then, I would likely still be fired from my position as a receptionist and face some penalties.

But perhaps I could avoid being made a slave if my sins were somewhat offset.

Of course, the fact that I had asked Rauスト to slay the hydra is not true.

But I can create that fact now.

I decided to use seduction as my method to achieve this.

As I took off my jacket and was left in just my undergarments, Rauスト averted his eyes, unable to hide his unease.

From his reaction, I judged that my seduction was effective.

Given Rauスト's history of being oppressed, he had likely never been seduced by someone of the opposite sex before.

While the martial artist seems to have a crush on Rauスト, in terms of physical maturity, I am more developed.

There was no way Rauスト could resist my seduction.

Thinking this, I let a provocative smile play on my lips.

With this, Rauスト would surely try to assault me, which would make him my ally, or at least someone I could threaten.

Given his current position as a hero, Rauスト would likely nod in agreement to avoid unnecessary scandal.

Thinking this, I smiled.

I felt a sense of relief, thinking that I had managed to avoid the worst-case scenario.

"…This might be impolite to say in this situation, but—"

However, contrary to my expectations, I could not sense any unease in Rauスト's voice as he spoke.

"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of touching you.

…Physically, I just can't do it with you."

"……What?"

And in the next moment, Rauスト, though hesitantly, clearly told me this.

For a moment, I couldn't understand the meaning of his words.

But then, I finally realized that they were words of rejection, and the blood drained from my face.

I couldn't let this continue, and driven by that feeling, I reflexively spoke.

"W-wait! You can do whatever you want to me…"

If I don't make Rauスト my ally here and now, I will be destroyed.

So I tried to draw his attention by exposing as much skin as possible and presenting myself seductively.

"!"

…But I stopped halfway through unbuttoning my clothes.

I suddenly realized that my seduction was meaningless.

In Rauスト's eyes, there was an unmistakable look of disgust.

When I saw Rauスト's confusion earlier, I thought it was because he was blushing.

But that was a misunderstanding.

…Rauスト's confusion and his turning away were all due to his disgust.

My seduction was never going to work from the start.

Realizing this, I felt my strength drain from my body, and I slumped to the ground.

Rauスト indeed does not show anger towards those he has oppressed in the past.

But that is not because he has forgiven them or anything like that.

He simply sees them as people he can avoid interacting with.

I understand this now.

Rauスト looked at me, slumped on the ground, with a cold gaze and spoke.

"Also, I have no intention of looking at anyone other than a certain woman."

"───!"

His words left me unable to hide my shock.

He didn't clearly state who the woman was, but I understood who he was talking about without needing to hear her name.

"Nal, Seina…"

She was the person I had just been thinking was inferior to me in terms of feminine charm.

Faced with this unexpected defeat, I could only stare in disbelief.

"Then—"

With that, Rauスト left the room.

…The energy to chase after him was no longer in me.

Next is the epilogue!